Ex-Leeds United goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald, axed by Marcelo Bielsa, enters politics | OneFootball

Felix Wiedwald, a former Leeds United goalkeeper who left four days into Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure, has entered politics, standing for the CDU in September’s Verden city council elections while remaining with Werder Bremen.

“I went all in right away. I registered with the CDU local branch and let them know I'd like to get involved. So many people complain, but only a few actually get involved in politics and take on responsibility. That's different for me!” he told Kreiszeitung.

Wiedwald joined Leeds from Werder Bremen in 2017 on a three-year deal and made 28 Championship appearances under Thomas Christiansen and Paul Heckingbottom. He was replaced by Bailey Peacock-Farrell in March 2018, and Bielsa’s arrival that summer preceded his exit four days later.

He spent the rest of his playing career in Germany, retiring in 2022 at 32. Now 36, he is part of the campaign team for CDU mayoral candidate Björn Symank. He has made no suggestion he will leave his Werder Bremen job and has been attending CDU party group meetings.

“I'm a full-time scout in squad planning at Werder Bremen. It's a full-time job. But, like many other politicians, I want to make the time for it. I don't like everything about the CDU, but that's normal in a democracy. And at the local level, it's all about working together to make a difference anyway.”

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk